The boy’s high school season is set to get into full swing this weekend across the state of Wisconsin as teams and prospects take aim at hosting championship hardware in Madison next March. Here’s a look at some of the top teams and more in this week’s news and notes…

TOP 5
(1) STEVENS POINT
To be the man you have to beat the man and the two time defending state champions hit the court as the favorites until they lose. Powered by talented junior Joey Hauser, Stevens Point looks like a virtual lock for Madison again barring injury where a date with Milwaukee Riverside would seem to be inevitable.

(2) MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE
No one in the 2017 class has improved so consistently over the past few years as Iowa State bound forward Terrence Lewis. A skilled and talented wing, Lewis leads the attack but he has help in sophomore Carlos Curtis, another Division 1 talent. The 1-2 punch of Curtis & Lewis is arguably the best in the state and if they are at their best when it matters Coach Lewis will be holding the trophy in March.

(3) KAUKAUNA
West Virginia bound lead guard Jordan McCabe powers this attack but he has help in fellow junior guard Adam Smith and a host of talented supporting cast members. McCabe was spectacular during the high school season last year and they are the favorites to hold the gold ball in March at the Division 2 level.

(4) RACINE PARK
An interesting mix here as sophomore Nobal Days headlines the group but there are rumors of potential transfers of key prospects over the past couple of weeks. What actually happens and what doesn’t combined with whether this team can gel together will ultimately determine things for Park who head into the season as a team that should be in the thick of things if they stay together and are at their best comes season’s end.

(5) WHITNALL
Wisconsin bound Tyler Herro powers this attack and the help of senior Kevion Taylor is critical to Whitnall’s chances of holding the gold ball. Herro is as good as there is in Wisconsin right now and if Taylor is active and consistent another trip to Madison and a victory in the last game of the season is a distinct possibility.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FRONTRUNNERS
JOEY HAUSER – 2018 – F – STEVENS POINT
A skilled high major Division 1 prospect, Hauser has played Robin the past couple of years so to speak and now he steps into the Caped Crusader’s role of the alpha for Stevens Point as they seek a third straight championship. Hauser can score at each level and he’s a dominant factor around the basket on both ends. Expect a huge year for him this season.

TYLER HERRO – 2018 – SG – WHITNALL
One of the premiere sharpshooting prospects in the country, Herro can excel in a catch and shoot basis and off the bounce at the mid-range level. A scoring machine who can flip the scoreboard consistently and quickly. Expect more of the same this season and he takes aim at a state championship this season.

KOBE KING – 2017 – SG – LACROSSE CENTRAL
The Wisconsin bound senior should have a big year this season and if he does La Crosse Central will be in the thick of things. King can score at each level and when active and engaged on both ends he can be absolutely dominant.

TERRENCE LEWIS – 2017 – SF – MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE
Lewis seems primed for another huge year and this season he will be counted on more to deliver more. In terms of filling the box score Lewis is as good as there is in the glass and if he can continue to elevate his activity and bring consistency game in and game out look for a spectacular senior campaign from him.

JORDAN MCCABE – 2018 – PG – KAUKAUNA
A talented floor general who excelled last season, McCabe really was sensational in his sophomore campaign and he led by example while elevating his team to new heights. He can create, score, and generally speaking when at his best his teammates elevate their play because they’re involved. In the final minutes he has no fear and that ability to play big and make big plays when it matters the most will be critical again for Kaukauna this season.

BREAKOUT JUNIOR
SERGIO NANU – 2018 – PF – KENOSHA ST. JOSEPHS
A plus length talented big with skill around the basket and solid agility and instincts, Nanu is a double talent who is a legitimate Division 1 prospect at the mid major or potentially high major level due to his potential. He’s going to be a force for Kenosha St. Josephs all year long.

STANDOUT SOPHOMORE
XZAVIER JONES – 2019 – SF – GREENDALE MARTIN LUTHER
A bouncy athletic forward who is at his best on the wing, look for Jones to take the next step in his progression this season. He can run the floor, knock down the jumper, soar in transition, etc. Really like everything about where he’s at and where he’s headed. One to watch closely this season.

IMPACT FRESHMEN
JALEN JOHNSON – 2020 – G – SUN PRAIRIE
Johnson has really taken some nice steps forward the past few months and he should be a solid addition to Sun Prairie right off the bat. He has plus length, instincts, and skill and his ability to deliver on both ends, score at each level, and create is advanced at this stage and only set to get better.

JAMARI SIBLEY – 2020 – F – NICOLET HIGH SCHOOL
A top 10 prospect nationally potentially with bounce, athleticism, and tremendous upside. Sibley pairs with Johnson below as two of the most exciting freshman to hit the state in some time due to their upside. Sibley is a force on both ends as he has timing, attacks the glass, and finishes at each level in a variety of ways. Love his progression already and he’s just scratching the surface.

GAME OF THE WEEK
PEWAUKEE VS. MILWAUKEE VINCENT (SATURDAY)
Pewaukee is powered by fast developing junior forward Grant Basile, a plus length skilled talent who is starting to find his groove on the hardwood. Basile should be a double type talent this season if active and aggressive and his play will be critical in the fortunes of Pewaukee this season. On the flip side Milwaukee Vincent should challenge for City Conference supremacy this year and the play of seniors Andrew Lewis and Justin Brookens will be key to any success they have. Lewis is a vertical talent with skill and athleticism while Brookens handles the ball and is a tough floor impact type on both ends. This is an interesting matchup on two teams with high aspirations but a lot of questions to answer in the process. A quality early season indicator for both this week.

Note: Antonio Curro is the National Recruiting Editor for NY2LASPORTS.COM and the Editor for GENERATIONNEXTBASKETBALL.COM and 414HOOPS.COM. He is also a member of the NBPA Top 100 Selection Committee as well as a consultant for ESPNU. Follow Antonio on Twitter @ACNY2LA.